The Picklr Brings Indoor Pickleball: Pickleball is taking over a familiar retail space in Stafford Township, New Jersey, as The Picklr Manahawkin-LBI prepares to open its doors on March 15. Located at 205 Route 72 West, the new indoor pickleball club replaces a former Bed Bath and Beyond store, bringing a state-of-the-art facility to Ocean County.
“It’s a tremendous space. The building is ready made for pickleball and you can’t really miss when you’re driving on 72.” – (Tom Neale, owner)
A New Hub for Pickleball Players
Spanning 22,500 square feet, the facility features:
- Seven indoor pickleball courts.
- A full-service pro shop.
- A café and lounge.
- Locker rooms.
Neale, a resident of Syosset, New York, and longtime Long Beach Island visitor, was drawn to the area’s thriving pickleball community.
“It’s like heaven on earth. I breathe differently down there.” – (Tom Neale)
“I knew that the pickleball community in this area, in Ocean County, was healthy, but the more we over time have gotten to know it because of our involvement with The Picklr, I’ve just been blown away with just how robust it is.” – (Tom Neale)
Growing Demand for Indoor Pickleball
The Picklr’s expansion reflects pickleball’s rapid growth. A 2023 Sports and Fitness Industry Association and Pickleheads report revealed that:
- Pickleball participation surged by 85.7% in one year.
- 8.9 million people played pickleball at least once in 2022.
- New Jersey ranked 21st in the U.S. with 1,100 courts across 247 facilities.
- Over $900 million in investments will be needed to meet demand for new courts nationwide.
“The sport is blowing up. When you look however at the available facilities versus the demand to play, there’s a huge disparity.” – (Tom Neale)
“So we did see an opportunity and a need to provide quality indoor pickleball.” – (Tom Neale)
While outdoor courts are available in the region, the closest indoor courts to Manahawkin are 30 to 45 minutes away. The Picklr’s professional-quality courts aim to fill that gap, offering:
- Sound-reducing baffle matrix systems.
- High-performance lighting.
Exclusive Membership Benefits
Membership at The Picklr includes:
- Access to all Picklr locations.
- Free court reservations.
- Four free clinics per month.
- Unlimited participation in leagues, events, and tournaments.
Additionally, The Picklr is set to open another club in Fair Lawn, NJ, on March 29.
Grand Opening Celebration on March 15
The Picklr Manahawkin-LBI will host a grand opening event on March 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring:
- Open play and free clinics.
- Tailgating and food trucks.
- A DJ and live music.
News in Brief: The Picklr Brings Indoor Pickleball
The Picklr Manahawkin-LBI, a 22,500-square-foot indoor pickleball facility, will open March 15 at 205 Route 72 West in Stafford Township, New Jersey. The new pickleball club replaces a former Bed Bath and Beyond, offering seven indoor courts, a pro shop, café, and lounge. A grand opening celebration will feature open play, music, and food trucks.
ALSO READ: The Picklr Manahawkin-LBI Grand Opening Set for March 15 with Free Clinics and Open Play